Anonymous #038

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #038

Where are you located?

Victoria

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Primary

What is your occupation?

School leader

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

The one main thing that was been forgotten in all this (apart from in the area of ITE) is student behaviour. Recently Monash university released their findings on teacher abuse. Teachers are 30% more likely than any other occupation to face some form of abuse - mainly from students. I myself have been kicked in the groin, spat at, scratched, kicked, objects thrown at, had my family threatened etc. and that's just primary aged students [REDACTED]. Teachers don't want to teach because these students make it far too difficult to. They take up way too much time. Forget support with behaviour management, I'm talking about the students that no matter how good you are your behaviour management these students ruin education for everyone else in the classsroom.

Funding needs to be allocated in the way of creating more Student Development Centres where students are referred to (as is the case in Victoria - however there is only one Centre that has the capacity for 8 students) where students are in tiny groups learning how to behave with actual specialists, not a teacher who has 25 other students to care about.

I have personally had 2 of my students attend the [REDACTED] and come out as different students. This is where funding needs to go. Teachers have had enough of feeling scared, intimidated and above all else frustrated because 25 other students are missing out!

Whilst on the topic of behaviour, schools having access to a paediatrician would be amazing. I am currently funding this myself with the help of my local secondary college and 2 other primary schools. No child should need to wait 12 months to see a psychologist, paediatrician or any other life changing service! Again another strategy to see behaviour improve and children's (and teacher's) lives changing for the better.

Education is not a safe place to work. No one wants to admit it. It's just not. Make it safe and show you have a plan for these severely disruptive and violent students and teachers will return!!

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?